VoIP calls disruption again

Many residents have again been facing difficulties in putting voice and video calls through the Internet, although still there is no official word on banning Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in the country.Some VoIP users said they faced problems since Tuesday using WhatsApp, Viber, Facetime and Facebook Messenger calls outside Qatar.Social media was flooded with queries and concerns from residents who have been using VoIP to place calls through popular free-to-download messenger apps such as WhatsApp.A resident said, “I have tried my WhatsApp contact abroad yesterday and there was voice as well as video disruption. I have taken a high-value data pack only to avail of VoIP. If I am unable to make voice or video calls, I don’t require this level of data.”The cost of using such services is very low as it uses the Internet to put through voice and video calls as well as text messages.Although not specifically related to the current situation, Qatar’s policy on VoIP has been explained by the communications regulator Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.In its website the CRA said, “VoIP is a technology for the delivery of voice services using existing internet infrastructure and services. There are no laws or rules that prohibit the use of such technology within the State of Qatar.Currently, the only two entities licensed by ictQATAR to provide such voice services to the public in Qatar are Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar.